Support Our Bridge the Gap Fundraiser

Support Our Bridge the Gap Fundraiser

We are seeking animal lovers to participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run on April 6 on behalf of Hallie Hill. The Bridge the Gap fundraiser encourages race participants to combine good health with good deeds by raising funds for the Sanctuary during the race. Funds raised through Bridge the Gap will support the health and well-being of the 200+ animals in Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary’s care and help Bridge the Gap between homeless animals and foster homes.
 
Registering to support Hallie Hill is easy. Participants register for the fundraiser as individuals or teams through the Hallie Hill website. Once registered, supporters will get a link to their own personal fundraising page to share with their peers to help gain support for their cause. Those not running the bridge can show their support from the sidelines by donating directly to Hallie Hill or by donating to one of the individuals or teams running on behalf of Hallie Hill.
 
“We know that running and walking is beneficial for your heart, but what if you could make your Bridge Run benefit many, many hearts?” says Hallie Hill Executive Director Jennifer Middleton. “We are so grateful to race participants who become ambassadors for Hallie Hill through Bridge The Gap not only for the immediate fundraising but also for increasing awareness of Hallie Hill and what we do to help animals in need.”
 
All funds raised will support the 501c3 animal sanctuary, whose mission is to rescue and care for abandoned, abused, or neglected animals who have no other home or shelter. An integral factor in Charleston becoming a no-kill community, Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary provides respite and rehabilitation for dogs and cats, preparing them for adoption and providing a loving forever home to those animals who cannot be adopted.
 
Current race participants can visit Hallie Hill’s Runner Registration page to create their fundraising page and begin accepting donations and pledges. Those who still need to register for the race can go to the Cooper River Bridge Run website to register to run or walk in this year’s race.

Volunteer Space Organization

Volunteer Space Organization

We have a new space for volunteer supplies! Thank you, Michele G., for your superb organizational skills of all of our dog enrichment supplies! People and dogs will benefit! Don’t forget to sign up on signup.com, sign in when you arrive, and wear your nametag.
 
Volunteers, don’t forget to check out the kennel cards as you approach each dog’s enclosure—there is LOTS of helpful information there.
 
Congrats to our new tier 3 Volunteers, Katherine Watts, Chris Watts, and Erin Russo, who completed the Fear Free Shelter program!

17 Weird and Wonderful Ways Your Dog Says They Love You

17 Weird and Wonderful Ways Your Dog Says They Love You

Our dogs have a unique and charming way of expressing their love. Whether it’s a gentle nuzzle, a joyful bark, or the irresistible warmth of a furry cuddle, our dogs have a language of love that goes beyond words. With Valentine’s Day coming up and February being the month of Love, we thought it would be fun to share all the adorable, sweet, and even weird ways your dog says, “I love you.”
 
Licking
Licking is one of the more obvious ways dogs show affection. For dogs, it is a way to bond with their owners.
 
Leaning
When dogs lean their full weight against you, it signifies complete trust. This means your dog sees you as a protector. Your dog may do this for comfort, but when they lean against you, it is the equivalent of a full-body hug.
 
Bringing You Their Toys
Presenting you with their prized possessions is a major sign of affection. They could be bringing you gifts since they see you as the head of the household. If the toy is broken, they may see you as an intelligent who can fix it for them, a sign that they trust you with this important task. Plus, wanting to play is a sign of puppy love!
 
Nudging You With Their Nose
Nose nudging can mean things like craving attention, wanting to be a pet, or loving you. Any one of those is a sign that your dog wants to be near you and wants physical contact.
 
Making a Big Sigh
Soft vocalizations, like sighs and groans, are the signs of contentment in dogs. When you hear your furry buddy do that, it means they are happy.
 
Making Eye Contact
Long gazes are reserved for people they feel very comfortable with. Maintaining eye contact with your dog helps deepen your bond. When your dog looks at you, the brain releases oxytocin, which is the hormone that mothers’ brains release when they bond with their puppies.
 
Sleeping Near You
Dogs love to sleep in packs for protection. If your dog feels the need to sleep in your bed, or at least in your room, it’s because they see you as a member of the pack, a family member.
 
Showing You Their Belly
Nothing says they trust you more than your dog rolling onto their back and asking for a belly rub. Since a dog’s tummy is one of their most vulnerable parts, this act puts them in total submission, the ultimate signal of love and trust.
 
Following You Around
Since they are pack animals, dogs always want to be with you. It’s part of their genetics to follow you everywhere because they consider you a part of their pack. But they also do it because they enjoy your company and might suffer from FOMO or the fear of missing out.
 
Smiling
If you have ever seen your companion flash their teeth at you, that’s a smile. Most people don’t notice it, but it is a way of expressing affection.
 
Raising Their Eyebrows
According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, dogs have evolved a special eye muscle to better communicate with humans. They are able to move their eyebrows and make that sad, sweet puppy dog face that tugs at our heartstrings.
 
Wagging Their Tail
Tail wagging is often misunderstood and might not always be a good thing, But if your dog’s tail is relaxed, raised at about mid-height, moving in a circular motion, and causing a full body wag, that’s a sure sign that your dog is happy and excited to see you.
 
Jumping Around
Jumping around is a sign of excitement in dogs but can also be an unwanted behavior. Here’s where positive reinforcement training comes in handy.
 
Roughhousing
This might not be your favorite expression of love, but it is healthy and can benefit a dog’s social development. You should use training to ensure that roughhousing doesn’t go too far. That means teaching your dog not to bite or bark during rough play.
 
Getting Jealous
In dog language, jealousy is a sign that your dog really likes your attention and wants to keep you all to themselves.
 
Stealing Your Shoes and Socks
If your dog raids your dirty laundry for your smelliest clothes, dirtiest shoes, and stinkiest socks, it’s a sign of love. It shows that they missed you while you were away and can’t get enough of your unique smell. It’s okay to discourage this behavior for the sake of your shoes and socks, but remember, they are doing it out of love.
 
Recognizing Your Name
You know that dogs learn their own names. And you’ve probably noticed, if you have multiple dogs, that they also learn each other’s names. But did you also know they can learn the names of people they like? When dogs hear the names of people they like, they’ll get excited at the thought that person might appear.
 
So, the next time your canine companion gazes into your eyes or curls up beside you, remember that these are not just moments – they are silent declarations of love, affirming the extraordinary bond between humans and their beloved dogs. Embrace the joy, cherish the cuddles, and revel in the unmistakable language of love that makes life with dogs an endlessly rewarding journey.

5 Ways You Can Help a New Dog Settle at Home

5 Ways You Can Help a New Dog Settle at Home

If you have recently adopted a puppy or an older dog, then helping them settle into their new home is a top priority. Here are some helpful tips:
  • Give them space – There can be a lot of change in a short period of time for newly adopted dogs. Set them up somewhere that is quiet and where they can get some much-needed rest and start to become comfortable in their new environment.
  • Avoid too many visitors – The first thing we want to do is tell everyone about the new arrival. Go ahead and tell everyone, but keep the “showing off” to a minimum for the first week or two. Your dog needs time to get to know their new immediate family well before introducing too many strangers.
  • Avoid unnecessarily trips – Of course, you are excited about your new family member and want to start showing them the world, but it is best to wait at least 72+ hours before exposing them to more than their new home turf.
  • Don’t worry about training right away – During the first few weeks with your new arrival, don’t pressure them by trying to instill strict training protocols. Their mind is already so full of learning about their new life and routines. After a short time, they will be comfortable enough with you and will be ready to absorb the training.
  • Nurture secure attachment – Your new addition’s whole world has been flipped upside down. They need a safe, calm person they can trust and form a bond with. Be there to comfort them.
  • Bonus Tip: Get professional help early on – Each relationship is different, so even if you have raised puppies, adopted before, or had dogs all your life, getting a professional on board early on can help even out any kinks. It just makes the process so much smoother.

What are the 5 freedoms and what should they mean to pet owners?

What are the 5 freedoms and what should they mean to pet owners?

When you get a new puppy or kitten, no one tells you that your new pet has five main welfare needs that need to be met. They provide a framework for caring for dogs, cats, and other pets. Read on to find out what they are, how many pet owners know them, and why they matter to you.
 
The Five Freedoms
The Five Freedoms were originally defined by the UK’s Farm Animal Welfare Council in the 1960s and were subsequently updated. They are now understood to apply to the welfare of all animals, not just livestock. The Five Freedoms are as follows.
  • Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to water and a diet to maintain health and vigor
  • Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment
  • Freedom from pain, injury, and disease by prevention or rapid diagnoses and treatment
  • Freedom to express normal behavior by providing proficient space, proper facilities, and appropriate company of the animal’s own kind
  • Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment, which avoid mental suffering
 
The Five Freedoms tell us our pets have 5 welfare needs- diet, environment, health, companionship, and behavior.
 
Knowing About the Five Freedoms
How many pet owners know about these needs? Since 2011, the PDSA in the United Kingdom has released its annual PAW report on the welfare of pets. The 2018 report tells that most people were able to identify four out of the five needs when shown a list.
  • 87% identified the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease
  • 85% identified the need to live in a sustainable environment
  • 85% identified the need for a suitable diet
  • 67% identified the need to exhibit normal behavior patterns
  • Only 18% identified the need to be housed with or apart from other animals
  • Only 13% of pet owners were able to correctly identify all five of the animal’s needs
Unfortunately, these needs are not as well known as they should be. And 29% of people thought that human company was one of the welfare needs.
 
Most people love their pets wholeheartedly, but it is also important to make sure you understand their basic needs in order to give them the best life possible. You can find more information on caring for animals at websites like the ASPCA.

Volunteer Updates

Volunteer Updates

We are so excited about everything coming up at the sanctuary this year. We will expand our volunteer program by continuing to welcome new volunteers, adding new sign-up opportunities with cats and dogs as well as other opportunities such as maintenance and clerical assistance, and building an enrichment team, to name just a few. We currently have three levels or tiers of volunteer status for our dog volunteers. It’s up to each volunteer to decide if you would like to advance through the tiers or stay at a specific tier; either is okay as we have multiple opportunities at every tier. Those who would like to advance to tier three will now be required to complete the “Fear Free Shelter Program.”
 
The Fear Free Shelter Program is an internationally known program that is completed online. After a brief introduction to Fear Free, volunteers will work
through four mandatory modules, which must be taken in consecutive order. Each module will end with an exam, which must be successfully completed before moving on to the next module. Progress on work can be saved at any time, giving you the flexibility to self-pace throughout the program. The core modules take approximately 5 hours to complete. You will be awarded a Fear Free Shelter Program Certificate of Completion when all four modules are completed. You can learn more about the program and register here: https://fearfreeshelters.com/about/. To register for the course, you will need a signed form from us. You can find them on the bulletin board in the tack room or email Michele at [email protected].
 
All staff have completed the course, and our amazing volunteers Lynn Rosato, Laura Tudor, Lorraine Guyton, and Dareen Seipel have also completed it! Way to go, ladies; thank you for your dedication to understanding and improving the lives of our sanctuary residents!